Optimisation of Fluoride Removal in Synthetic Water Using Electrocoagulation Techniques

The presence of excess fluoride in water bodies presents significant environmental concerns due to its harmful effects on human health. Medical studies indicate that fluoride concentrations exceeding 1.5 mg/L can result in various health issues, including skeletal fluorosis, dental fluorosis, and several other health complications. The electrocoagulation (EC) method offers a practical solution for removing various contaminants from water and wastewater. This study focuses on reducing the fluoride concentration in an aqueous solution using electrochemical (EC) methods, starting with an initial concentration of 10 mg/L, and explores different electrode combinations, including aluminium-aluminium, aluminium-copper, aluminiumlead, and aluminium-zinc. Further research was conducted by adjusting the electrode spacing to determine the optimal fluoride removal efficiency in the electrolytic cell. The findings reveal that with 2 cm electrode spacing, the aluminium-copper combination achieved a fluoride removal efficiency of 73% after 120 minutes. Meanwhile, a 4 cm electrode spacing with the aluminium-copper combination also resulted in an 80% removal efficiency at a reaction period of 120 minutes. Thus, the study shows that the combination of aluminium–copper electrodes gives the best results concerning fluoride removal from aqueous solutions at higher concentrations.